タカアシガニ
takaashigani
The English phrase 'spider crab' is translated into Japanese as タカアシガニ (takaashigani).
タカアシガニ refers to the spider crab. In many biological or commercial contexts, it is typically written using katakana as タカアシガニ, although the kanji 高脚蟹 is also possible.
Meaning: crab (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word takaashigani is a compound of three parts: taka meaning tall or high, ashi meaning leg and gani meaning crab.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, マツバガニ may be used instead of タカアシガニ to refer to the spider crab. In some other regions, such as Hokkaido, the term アシガニ is used.
How do you pronounce it?
takaashigani
Did you know?
- The Japanese spider crab タカアシガニ holds the record for the widest leg span of any arthropod, sometimes reaching up to 3.8 meters from claw to claw.
- While タカアシガニ describes the species by its length, the regional term マツバガニ compares the crab's appearance to the needles of a Japanese pine tree.
- The word gani in タカアシガニ is an example of rendaku, a linguistic phenomenon where the first consonant of a word becomes voiced to make the compound easier to pronounce.
Examples in context
- タカアシガニは足がとても長いです。takaashigani wa ashi ga totemo nagai desu.The spider crab has very long legs.
- 水族館でタカアシガニを見ました。suizokukan de takaashigani o mimashita.I saw a spider crab at the aquarium.
- このタカアシガニは巨大ですね。kono takaashigani wa kyodai desu ne.This spider crab is huge, isn't it?
Example conversation
At an aquarium, looking at a large tank.
- 結衣 Yuiあのタカアシガニ、すごく大きいね！ano takaashigani, sugoku ookii ne!That spider crab is really big!
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、足もすごく長いね。hontou da, ashi mo sugoku nagai ne.You're right, and its legs are so long too.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、写真撮ってもいい？Hiroto-kun, shashin totte mo ii?Hiroto, can I take a photo?
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろん、いいよ。mochiron, ii yo.Of course, go ahead.
